I know I will get some crap for this idea but here it goes, my wagon has the factory low suspension, the ride on the freeway is crap if the freeway is smooth then the ride is good. My tires are 235/45r17, I was at work looking at tire catalogs, because I work in the automotive industry and found that I can get a 235/50r17 tire the over all diameter difference is .95 inches. I don't care about the effect on the speedometer accuracy. Accelleration from a stop would be effected a little. A taller side wall will soften the ride a bit. It looks like i would have clearance and I don't really care about how the car would look when parked. I can think of any other effects it would have, it's a 525it and I just really cruise in it. Thoughts.
I'd make sure that it is in fact the tires you have that are contributing to a harsh ride and not something else. e39 sport package is a very balanced ride if everything else is proper. We had a wagon for a short time that had bad subframe bushings and it felt terrible on potholes because of that.
You don't have run flat tires installed, don't you?
No runflats but my rear subframe bushings have leaked you can feel the subframe jiggles a little.
If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue
Last edited by Breeze1; 02-11-2019 at 04:55 AM.
"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters." Alan K. Simpson.
5spd E46 "3XX": 328i engine, 330i Intake and exhaust, CAI, 323i diff.
+2
Go with the 16" and you will feel the difference, as it has more sidewall to absorb the rough road. IIRC the stock on that car is a 225/55 R-16 for the summer and 205/60 R-16 for winter.
Darin
Current:
16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
Past:
95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
M-Flight Member
16's ftw!
'95 325iS - auto to manual swap done!
Truth is that crap 50 series tires could actually feel worse. It depends entirely on the tire. I suggest you sort out your suspension first, repair/replace what needs repaired/replaced, then consider tires.
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